Ranald threw the halter over Lisette's neck, sprang on her back, and sent her down the lane at a good smart pace. At the bottom of the lane he wheeled her, and riding low upon her neck, came back to the barn like a whirlwind. “By jings!” exclaimed Yankee, surprised out of his lazy drawl; “she's got it, you bet your last brick. See here, boy, there's money into that animal. Thought I would like to have her for my buckboard, but I have got an onfortunit conscience that won't let me do up any partner, so I guess I can't make any offer.” Ranald stood beside Lisette, his arm thrown over her beautiful neck, and his hand fondling her gently about the ears. “I will not sell her.” His voice was low and fierce, and all the more so because he knew that was just what he would do, and his heart was sick with the pain of the thought. “I say,” said Yankee, suddenly, “cudn't bunk me in your loft, cud you! Can't stand the town. Too close.” The confining limitations of the Twentieth, that metropolitan center of some dozen buildings, including the sawmill and blacksmith shop, were too trying for Yankee's nervous system. “Yes, indeed,” said Ranald, heartily. “We will be very glad to have you, and it will be the very best thing for father.” “S'pose old Fox cud nibble round the brule,” continued Yankee, nodding his head toward his sorrel horse. “Don't think I will do much drivin' machine business. Rather slow.” Yankee spent the summer months selling sewing-machines and new patent churns. “There's plenty of pasture,” said Ranald, “and Fox will soon make friends with Lisette. She is very kind, whatever.” “Ain't ever hitched her, have you?” said Yankee. “No.” “Well, might hitch her up some day. Guess you wudn't hurt the buckboard.” “Not likely,” said Ranald, looking at the old, ramshackle affair. “Used to drive some myself,” said Yankee. But to this idea Ranald did not take kindly. Yankee stood for a few moments looking down the lane and over the fields, and then, turning to Ranald, said, “Guess it's about ready to begin plowin'. Got quite a lot of it to do, too, ain't you?” “Yes,” said Ranald, “I was thinking I would be beginning to-morrow.” “Purty slow business with the oxen. How would it do to hitch up Lisette and old Fox yonder?” Then Ranald understood the purpose of Yankee's visit. “I would be very glad,” said Ranald, a great load lifting from his heart. “I was afraid of the work with only the oxen.” And then, after a pause, he added, “What did you mean about buying Lisette?” He was anxious to have that point settled. “I said what I meant,” answered Yankee. “I thought perhaps you would rather have the money than the colt; but I tell you what, I hain't got money enough to put into that bird, and don't you talk selling to any one till we see her gait hitched up. But I guess a little of the plow won't hurt for a few weeks or so.”